Description

The Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report) was published in May 2009. It revealed a shocking level of historic abuse inflicted on Irish children, who were placed by the State in residential institutions run by religious orders. A central theme running through the Commission’s report was that more could have been done and that warning signs were ignored. The Report served to highlight the need to review the current organisation and delivery of child welfare and protection services nationally. The Report placed considerable emphasis on the need to ensure that all children are now listened to, respected as individuals and protected against any type of abuse. Following the publication of the Report a detailed Implementation Plan was prepared and published in July 2009. The Government is committed to full implementation of the Plan. The Implementation Plan sets out a series of 99 actions designed to address the effects of past abuse, reform service provision and ensure that children and young people have a stronger voice. Some of the 99 actions have a specific target date for completion, up to December 2011, while other actions are noted ‘ongoing’. The overall aim of the Plan is to make a difference in children’s lives by addressing past failings and putting measures in place to achieve better outcomes in the delivery of services to children and families.